<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 05.06.03.04" title_num="05" subtitle_num="06" chapter_num="03" heading="General Terms and Provisions for Purchase and Purchase/Rehabilitation Loans.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Insurance Coverage. M.H.F. may insure:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Up to 100 percent of a mortgage loan that finances the purchase, or the purchase and rehabilitation, of an eligible property, provided that all of the requirements of these regulations are met;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A mortgage loan on a cooperative unit in accordance with COMAR 05.06.01.10.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Eligible Borrowers and Eligible Properties.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The applicable standards for eligible borrowers of mortgage loans insured by M.H.F. are set forth in COMAR 05.06.06.06.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The applicable standards for eligible properties securing mortgage loans insured by M.H.F. are set forth in COMAR 05.06.06.05, except that COMAR 05.06.06.05D does not apply to an insured loan that finances both the purchase and rehabilitation of the property.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An eligible property shall be located in a designated revitalization area as defined in Regulation .03B(5) of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Eligible Uses of the Insured Mortgage Loan.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The insured mortgage loan may be used to pay for the following costs and expenses:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Purchase price of the property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Closing costs (financing);</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Closing costs (title);</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Prepaid expenses; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Rehabilitation costs permitted in §C(2), below.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the mortgage loan is for the rehabilitation as well as the purchase of an eligible property, then the mortgage loan also may be used for the following rehabilitation costs if the conditions set forth in §C(3) of this regulation are fulfilled:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The reasonable cost of correcting major structural defects;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The reasonable cost of repairing or replacing plumbing, HVAC, or electrical systems;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The reasonable cost of correcting any violations of local planning, zoning, or building codes, or other applicable laws;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The reasonable cost of inspections performed in accordance with Regulation .05E, below; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Other reasonable rehabilitation costs, including the cost of cosmetic repairs, which are approved by M.H.F.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In order for a mortgage loan for rehabilitation as well as purchase costs to be eligible for insurance, a nonprofit housing agency or nonprofit financial or housing counseling agency active in the applicable designated revitalization area shall certify that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The acquisition and rehabilitation of the property will stabilize or improve the neighborhood;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Other resources are currently being targeted to the neighborhood; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The acquisition and rehabilitation of the property represents a significant public purpose action.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Agreement with Mortgage Lender Required. A loan insured under this chapter shall be made by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A mortgage lender under an agreement with M.H.F described in Regulation .08 of this chapter; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Equity Capital.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A borrower whose mortgage is to be insured by M.H.F. under the Revitalization Program shall meet M.H.F.'s requirement for equity capital in the mortgage loan transaction as set forth in §E(2)—(6) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The borrower is required to pay in cash at least 2 percent of the first mortgage loan amount.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Equity capital may be applied to one, a combination, or all of the following items:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Purchase price of the property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Closing costs (financing);</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Closing costs (title); or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Prepaid expenses.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Equity capital may include gifts, except for those from:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The realtor for the transaction;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The seller of the property; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Any other party having an interest in the contract.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Equity capital may not include loans, except for a loan secured by a 401(k) or other retirement account that is subject to a penalty for early withdrawal under the federal tax code.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Once the equity capital amount has been satisfied in accordance with §E(2)—(5) of this regulation, the balance of funds necessary for settlement of the loan may include gifts, including seller concessions.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Purchase Contract Inspection Contingency. M.H.F. may require that a home inspection be conducted before closing by a home inspector acceptable to the purchaser and lender. The inspection may be required by the purchaser as a contingency to the purchase contract. The purchaser shall obtain the inspection report, although the cost to the purchaser may be reimbursed by the seller. A copy of the inspection shall be supplied to M.H.F. by a lender with the application required in COMAR 05.06.06.09A.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Appraisals.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>There shall be an appraisal of the property securing the loan to be insured by M.H.F.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The appraisal shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Establish an “as is” value for the property; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Be performed by an appraiser acceptable to M.H.F.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>